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Our Thoughts RADAR AI

This one is timed well only if you were already hunting this generation, because the value depends less on age than on whether you want a proven PS Audio digital front end rather than the newest streamer/DAC box. At US$1,499, it lands exactly on the market median of recent comparable listings, so this reads as fair pricing, not a bargain and not ambitious.

That makes it a sensible buy if the unit is clean and complete. The PerfectWave line is well regarded for giving a polished, spacious digital presentation and for holding interest with enthusiasts who value robust build and flexible digital use. If it includes the remote, original packaging, and has a documented service history, that supports confidence; if it’s been lightly used and well cared for, the listing is right in the sweet spot for a buyer who wants one without paying a premium.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About PS Audio

PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.

Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.

Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.

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